Tesco adds barcode scanning to iPhone app

Rating: Hooks into Red Laser’s API for scanning tech

Giant UK retailer, Tesco, has added a barcode reader capability to its ‘Groceries’ iPhone app. This means users can now easily add items to a online home delivery order. The capability has been added to the existing free Tesco app by Tesco’s development team which has hooked up to RedLaser‘s  API to provide the scanning capability. The app is intended to read existing (1D) barcodes on packaging but does seem to be restricted to recognising only items which Tesco itself stocks. Recognised barcodes will be stored inside the app and made available the next time the handset’s user decides to shop online.
It is aimed at time-poor shoppers who don’t have the energy to create a traditional shopping list.

RedLaser is a specialist in the provision of barcode-scanning application for comparison shopping and finding product information using a mobile device.

The company claims its barcode scanning technology was created specifically to deal with non-autofocus cameras. It doesn’t say whether it will handle 2D barcodes as well.

Tesco is describing this new development as “the UK’s first transactional barcode scanner for the iPhone.” Hmm.

That would mean that RedLaser’s technology hasn’t been used by any other UK retailer. Strange since it says the application has been downloaded over four million times.

Explaining her company’s motivation, Laura Wade-Gery, CEO of Tesco.com and Tesco Direct, said, “We’re always looking for ways to make life easier for customers and for busy mums in particular.

The barcode scanner will make online ordering much quicker for those that have an iPhone.

Customers can simply scan the barcode of grocery products stocked by Tesco whilst on the go and add them into their online shopping basket.”

Other usage example given by Tesco include when a customer tries a new food at a friend’s house or when a customer’s child has finished the lastone  of their favourite yoghurts while out and about and they don’t want to forget to order them.

Tesco Groceries is actually one of four of iPhone apps. This module has notched up 400,000 downloads since it launched in early September 2010. The other three are Tesco Clubcard, Store Finder and Wine Finder apps.

One of the reasons why the iPhone app might not recognise a specific item is that the item is too big to fit inside one of Tesco’s own delivery vans. Which is a bit bizarre.

RedLaser is also an eBay mobile application. More information here.